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Keynote Speakers

Thursday, February 22, 2018

The Skills that Matter

Patricia Noonan, Ph.D. and Amy Gaumer Erickson, Ph.D.

9:30-10:30 a.m. Galeria I, II and III

We, as educators, know that students need to be prepared with the skills that matter for success in school and beyond. However, it can be a challenge to build interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies when they are often not considered to be part of our academic priorities or curriculum. The author of The Skills that Matter: Teaching Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Competencies in Any Classroom will provide insight from five years of collaboration with middle and high school teachers. Together, we can develop socially and emotionally engaged, career-equipped, lifelong learners.

Discovering My Life Through the Discovery Process

Kevin Fortunato, Chris Coulston, Cheryl Fortunato, and Ellen Coulston

12:30-1:30 p.m. Galleria I, II, III

This presentation chronicles the impact of educating and empowering a self-advocate to create his own pathway to the life he is entitled to have — just like you! Through the Discovery Process, creating a Positive Personal Vocational Profile and garnering the help of a self-determined self-advocate, hear the rebirth and resolve of a young student who transforms from a student being led through a transition process, to a youth leader leading his own transition. Educating family about transition and self-determination was equally important to supporting student development and success.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Expect More, Do More: We Are All Responsible

Derek Nord, Ph.D.

8:30-10:00 a.m. Galleria I, II, III

For many people with disabilities, transitioning into adulthood is fraught with barriers that can have lifelong consequences of poverty, dependence, and exclusion. No one person, family member, professional, or policy maker is responsible for making transition a reality. This responsibility rests on all of our shoulders. This presentation will challenge attendees’ values, expectations, and approaches to supporting people with disabilities in transition, including those with significant barriers. It will also highlight important ways the various stakeholders can hold each other accountable to ensure that our collective attention is focused
on what really matters - a quality life.